International Professional Racquetball Organization (IPRO)

• The AmPRO-IPRO program hosted twenty courses throughout the USA and abroad in 2009. The 2010 calendar is currently being drawn. The first class will be hosted by John and David Ellis in Stockton, California, Jan. 16-17.
• Our sincere condolences to the family of T.J. Ferro, a respected racquetball fixture for many years in Illinois, nationally, and with the National Masters Organization. He succumbed to lung cancer earlier this month.
• Many thanks to David Negrete for elevating the IRT Mens Pro Racquetball Tour over the past several years. We wish David well with his new endeavors. He will continue to be one of the AmPRO Clinicians.
• Two courses were held outside the USA recently; a Level 1 Coaching Course in Sucre, Bolivia for 27 students over five days. In additi on, a Level 1 Referee Course was held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in December just prior to the Junior World Championships. Upcoming Coaching courses will be held in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in March and La Paz, Bolivia in May.
• The IRF Junior World Championships were held in Santo Domingo, DR December 15-20. About 240 athletes representing 16 countries participated over six days at the Centro Deportivo Pabellon de Raquetbol. Team USA captured the overall team crown for the second consecutive year. One of the major themes coming out of this annual event is the lack of qualified officials around the world. A select group of officials came to officiate on a daily basis; yet, many of the matches had to utilize team delegates. The ultimate goal of the IRF is to provide qualified officials for all matches at all events. AmPRO/IPRO will help to make this goal a reality.
• The 2010 World Senior Doubles will be held in the Village of Dun a Ri (Kingscourt), Republic of Ireland. The dates are June 9-12. Entry forms should be available on the IRF website and on R2Sports in February.

MORE!!!! We are pleased to announce that the AmPRO organization has secured its own Liability-Accident Insurance coverage through K and K Insurance. The business of the AmPRO-IPRO program will continue as usual! In addition:

• Upgrade opportunities will now be available through enrollment in a class or by taking a series of one day mini-classes, a written exam, and having a consultation with one of our staff.
• Lifetime members may continue to enroll in any instructional course at no charge.
• Extended year AmPRO memberships are still available (Lifetime for $300 and three years for $75).
• Friends of AmPRO program is about to embark.
• The end of January 2010, will be the final opportunity for past due AmPRO members to become current.
• The updated AmPRO manual will be available online in 2010.

MANY THANKS TO OUR CLINICIAN STAFF: Ron Brown, Dave Ellis, John Ellis, Aaron Embry, Dave George, Juan Manuel Gutierrez, Nick Hansen, Karen Key, Marcy Lynch, Linda Moore, David Negrete, Ed Remen, Fernando Rodriguez, Jorge Rodriguez, Jo Shattuck, Darryl Warren, David Watson, Joe Wittenbrink.

Quote of the Month: "Every exit is an entrance to somewhere else" - Tom Stoppard

The International Professional Racquetball Organisation (IPRO) is the certification arm of the International Racquetball Federation (IRF).

In association with

Mission

The mission of IPRO is to promote racquetball certification and to provide leadership by developing and coordinating services and programs designed to meet the needs of the International racquetball community as a fun, exhilarating and healthy activity.